42-31243

media-23049.jpeg UPL 23049 Part of the wreckage of B-17 42-31243 on Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay in Kent, England. The crew had to ditch the aircraft when it ran out of fuel on 1 December 1943. All of the crew were rescued and taken to RAF Manston.

Sent through to the museum by the photographer Tony Ovenden.

Object Number - UPL 23049 - Part of the wreckage of B-17 42-31243 on Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay in Kent, England. The crew had to ditch the aircraft when it ran out of fuel on...

Delivered Cheyenne 8/10/43; Gr Island 19/10/43; Wilmington 27/10/43;



Slated 94BG, Assigned 427BS/303BG Molesworth 18/11/43;

Missing in Action Leverkusen 1/12/43 with Allan Eckhart, Co-pilot: Elton Jenkins, Navigator: George Arvanites, Bombardier: Bob Meagher, Flight engineer/top turret gunner: Francis Nevner, Radio Operator: Fred Kuehl, Ball turret gunner: Angelo Tambe, Waist gunner: Mike Musashe, Waist gunner: Ed Madak, Tail gunner: Nyle Smith (10 Returned to Duty); no gas, ditched Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay, off Walmer, Kent, all rescued by Air Sea Rescue and taken to Manston, Kent. No MACR.



The crash site is on the Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent. It is the only B-17 inshore and local records do confirm this. On February 13th 2016 it was exposed on an extremely low tide. Both wings are present and the second engine nacelle is intact with a damaged propeller, a Tokyo tank is visible in a wing and is in excellent condition. There is also a field of debris around the wreck site. The fuselage is gone.

Connections

See how this entry relates to other items in the archive by exploring the connections below.

Units served with

Official emblem of the 303rd Bomb Group approved 7 November 1942.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-809499
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Navigator
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Pilot / Co-pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 6697808
  • Highest Rank: Technical Sergeant
  • Role/Job: Radio Operator; Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 303rd Bomb Group 427th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 35309221
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant
  • Role/Job: waist gunner

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Crashed

Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent

Revisions

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added Production block number and Manufacturer per info on the internet for A/C #42-31243.

Date
Contributorjmoore43
Changes
Sources

Added a space before the words "Tail gunner" in the A/C “Description” to aid clarity.

Date
ContributorLucy May
Changes
Sources

Changed crash site from Pegwell Bay to Sandwich Flats, Sandwich Bay after correspondence with Tony Ovenden who is investigating the area of the wreckage with support from RAF Manston History Museum.

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Dave Osborne, B-17 Fortress Master Log

42-31243: Gallery (4 items)